Security forces eliminate 3 LeT terrorists involved in Amarnath Yatra attack

Security forces in Kashmir have successfully eliminated three Lashker-e-Taiba terrorists, including two Pakistanis, who allegedly carried out an attack on Amarnath pilgrims in July this year, while the police later arrested one militant who had fled from the encounter sight.

Seven Amarnath pilgrims, including five women were killed and 15 others were injured when militants attacked a bus carrying at least 56 passengers at Botengo village near Anantnag, on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, in South Kashmir on 10 July this year (See: Amarnath pilgrims dead,19 injured as terrorists target bus). 

The encounter took place on Monday afternoon when terrorists fired at an Army convoy at Qazigund on Jammu-Srinagar national highway, in which one soldier was also killed and another sustained injuries.

While three militants were killed, police said, one terrorist managed to flee from the encounter site, but was later arrested from a maternity hospital of Anantnag district.

Security forces cordoned off the area and the search operation turned into an encounter with terrorists which ended at 2 am this morning, the police said.

Police have identified the dead terrorists as Abu Furqan and Abu Maviya (both believed to be from Pakistan) and Yawar Basir, a local recruit.  Furqan had taken over as the head of Lashker-e-Taiba in South Kashmir after the death of Abu Ismail, who had led the attack on Amarnath pilgrims in July this year while Basir, who hails from Habiash of Kulgam, joined ranks with Lashker-e-Taiba in February this year after snatching weapon from a policeman.

Following leads available at Qazigund encounter, police traced one Rashid Ahmed Allai of Hamzapora Sangam Bijibehera from Janglatmandi maternity hospital in Ananthnag district of South Kashmir.

Allai, who was caught last night with a Chinese made pistol and live cartridges, had joined the Yawar Group and was missing from his house since last two days.

Jammu and Kashmir's Director General of Police (DGP) SP Vaid on Tuesday said security forces have ''wiped out'' the terrorist group that attacked Amarnath Yatris in July this year.

Vaid, on Tuesday, took to Twitter and said, ''Body of third terrorist Yawar a local was also recovered from encounter site & 4th terrorist caught alive in injured condition. Well done boys.'' In a subsequent tweet, Vaid said: ''With the elimination of Abu Ismail earlier & now these three Abu Mavia, Furkan & Yawar group that attacked Amarnath Yatries is wiped out.''